10,000 visitors enjoyed a great time during the 3-day festival
Qatar Tourism Authority officials announce ‘Doha’s Best Restaurant’ at the closing ceremony
Doha, 8 February 2010 –
More than 10,000 visitors enjoyed the variety of gastronomic delights prepared by forty-eight of Qatar’s best restaurants at the festival over the three days food fest. The event opened on Thursday night with a ribbon cutting ceremony by H.E. Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage assisted by Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority. In addition to the different foods on offer, music, entertainment and activities for both children and adults were available for a truly festive family event.
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) organized the First Doha Food Festival as part of the celebration of Doha as the Capital of Arab Culture for 2010, and to bring new exciting events to the local residents and families in Qatar as well as regional visitors.
Local residents as well as regional and international visitors experienced a good time:
James visiting from London on business said: "I am in Qatar for 48 hours and saw the media stories about the food festival and thought I would pop along. I had a great few hours sampling the great food Qatar has to offer."
Bilal, who works here in Doha said: “The W's chicken samosa was extraordinary, and the live music created a very relaxing atmosphere.”
Rebecca, visiting from the US, said: "I really enjoyed being able to try so many different cuisines at the food festival- this has definitely been one of the highlights of my visit to Qatar."
Mohammed came to the food festival with his family: “This is a great family event – our children had a lot of fun. It was a great opportunity to sample in one place the different foods available throughout Doha. The beef brisket and risotto from the Ritz was our favorite.”
Mykonos, the Greek-Mediterranean restaurant at the InterContinental Doha was named ‘Doha’s Best Restaurant’ at the closing ceremony of the First Doha Food Festival on Saturday night. The title was based on the public’s votes by way of coupons sold for their dishes, interaction with the public as well as overall atmosphere at the stand. QTA’s Mr. Lahdan Al Mohannadi, Head of Local Exhibitions, and Mr. Walid Charbel, Head of Finance Department, presented Ms. Eva Wallbruch, Food and Beverage Sales Manager of the InterContinental Doha with the award.
The evening’s excitement continued with a raffle draw, which also took place during the closing ceremony. A round trip airfare ticket on Qatar Airways was the grand prize. Other prizes included a one night stay with breakfast for 4 at the Movenpick Tower & Suites, hotel vouchers for QR1000 from the W-Hotel, dinner for 4 at the Movenpick Tower & Suites. La Cigale, InterContinental Doha, Marriott Doha, Pepsi Cola and Al Watinya restaurant group also contributed vouchers to the raffle draw.
Winners of the raffle draw were: Tasneem Ahmed Nassar (coupon number 1613), Musteak (1581), Anualf L. (20799), Martyn (25295), Rommer Argnelle (16408), Evannesa Dinyan (21587), Mohd Al Sharif (14577), Priyane Kent (8082), Ahmed Raaft (17084), Samir Al Sibaii (1668), Rahmani Al Mahadi (18645), Majid Mazeed Al Mulla (26927), Manal Ahmed Galib (2851), Dema Jamal Nasir (27560), Noor Jahan Mohd Ali (28036) and Siit Raudaah Shalma (716).
The sponsors of the event were Al Baddad International and Seqlia Exhibition and Conference Organizers.
